Grace Academy

Q&A with Coach Robert Ateca

Coach Ateca

Q. How would you characterize this year’s team?

A. Battle-tested.

Q. What will be the keys to your success?

A. Staying healthy.

Q. Who will be your key leaders on the team?

A. Gabe Reed, Trey Groce, Brooks Frazier, Charlie Dykes, and Josh Kress.

Q. What are your biggest reasons for optimism?

A. Most of our starters from the 2025 team will return.

Q. What will keep you up at night?

A. The depth chart.

Q. Any lessons learned from last year?

A. We have a better idea of where to place our players to fit the scheme.

Q. How would you characterize your team’s speed?

A. We will rely on reading our keys and being in the right place at the right time.

Q. Will we see anything different this year?

A. We will build on last year’s scheme.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRACE ACADEMY

STATS

COACH NAME: Robert Ateca (27 yrs. as a head coach, 16th as head coach at Grace)

DIVISION/CLASS/REGION: TN Div. II-AA – East

2025 OVERALL RECORD: 0-9

2025 REGION FINISH: 5th

MASCOT: Golden Eagles

2026 SCHEDULE

AUGUST

21 NOTRE DAME (A)

28 EAST RIDGE (A)

SEPTEMBER

4 PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN

11 MIDDLE TENNESSEE CHRISTIAN

18 SALE CREEK (H)

25 KING’S ACADEMY (H)

OCTOBER

1 TRI-CITIES CHRISTIAN (A)

9 HOWARD (H)

23 PROVIDENCE ACADEMY (H)

30 CONCORD CHRISTIAN (A)

COACH’S VIEW

We are a young team that may not have the size advantage, especially in a highly competitive football region. Because of this, our success will depend on how well we coach our players to reach their maximum potential. Attention to detail will be critical – we must be disciplined in every aspect of our preparation, from practice habits to game-day decisions. By focusing on fundamentals, accountability, and consistency, we can overcome physical limitations. Ultimately, our edge will come from executing with precision, playing smart, and making the most of every opportunity on the field.